get started. get motivated. get results.

How are you all doing? I do hope people are keeping safe and well during these testing times that we find ourselves in.I have had so many messages from people over the last 2 weeks and a great response to my livestream the other day that I thought I’d better let you all know where I’m at with everything. It’s a bit of a long one, so grab yourselves a cuppa and read onSo This Coronavirus has hit me like a bolt out of the blue, like the rest of the world I guess, I was completely unprepared for it. As far as my business is concerned, I planned to be delivering classes in the same format as I have done for the last 10 years for another 10 years and beyond and until I couldn’t physically anymore and even then I was planning to pull up a chair and deliver that way, but no, Covid – 19 had other plans.Physically, I accepted quite quickly that I would have to shut everything down and see where we go, no more classes for the foreseeable, harsh, but no choice. What I was totally unprepared for was the physiological impact that would have on me. I like to think of myself as pretty laid back, not phased by most things and stress, I don’t do stress, well, having been in self isolatatin for 14 days, relying on doorstep food drop offs, thank you guys, you know who you are, not been able to venture out of my front door (apparently that rule changed during my 14 days in isolation and we apparently could have been going out for our quota of exercise, but I found that out on day 11!!!) I do do stress or whatever emotional ups and downs has been going on that I seemed to have little control over. I found it difficult to motivate myself let alone anyone else, I’m used to having some structure in my life I guess so suddenly having none feels really strange . Anyway, yesterday I had a couple of good conversations and one in particular, out of the blue really lifted the cloud and properly motivated me into action, these together with finally ending our time in isolation and getting out and picking up some well needed supplies and later going for a run has given me a bit of a boost.Going live the other day was my attempt to give myself a kick up the rear and just try out this online world that I am not very familiar with and to be honest, didn’t want any part of. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not camera shy by any means but my job involves me going out, meeting, chatting, dancing, hugging (oh I miss a hug) smiling, laughing with PEOPLE, watching social interactions around the room, knowing that social interactions have taken place right there in one of my classes that have then gone onto develop into the loveliest of friendships, (I know of several of these over the years) all of which are important aspects of my job that I love and that just can not be replicated online dancing on your own in the living room, a fact that I’ve had to get over, however, I know this will pass, I know and we’ll do all of the above again, I’m sure, but in the meantime………Well, having received the most amazing and somewhat overwhelming responses to my live stream the other day, I get the feeling you want more and I want to try and give you just that. My reluctance (otherwise known as burying my head in the sand), by the way, apart from the emotional stuff earlier described, has been nothing other than wanting to get it right if I am to go down this route and I’m challenging myself to at least give it a go.So here’s how it’s going to go. You won’t be surprised to know that financially I have taken a hit….. a big one (another head burying in the sand situation going on here) and unfortunately, to just do lots of live video streams of my Sofunk routines that I’ve spent so much time on over the last 18 months is probably not the most sensible business move, so I’m going to have to lock everything down (may as well follow the governments lead). The plan is then to

Set up a private Sofunk® online group that you can request to join,

Videos will be posted to this page

You will be asked to pay a small amount to view videos

Video’s will be available for several hours after airing for you to follow if you’re not able to join live or if you just want to go again.

I’ll set something up for people not on facebook if you want to let friends know

That’s it in the simplest of terms, although once you join they’ll be more instructions about delivery platforms, payment, joining each session etc, but for now I just wanted to share with you the general plan.Does it sounds like I’ve got this sewn up? Well, not quite, but I have been talking to some people, getting as much advise and information and will deliver this in the best way possible, unsurprisingly the bit in front of the camera is the easiest part for me, it’s the technology that I need to get right . Start date? to be confirmed but coming soon.I hope you’ll continue to join me, your support as always means so much and I hope that those of you that now have the opportunity to join me will do so too.Your comments and feedback as always also means so much,

With school holidays, summer getaways and people just taking the opportunity to enjoy the sunny days when we get them, it's inevitable that there will be a drop in class attendance during the summer.My feet have barely touched the ground since Sofunk Dance Fitness officially launched in January, I've been completely overwhelmed by the response and positive feedback we've received wherever we've taken the Sofunk train. The attendance numbers have been consistently the best I personally have ever experienced with any other dance fitness programme I've been involved in and opportunities have presented themselves which in some cases have been totally unexpected!! With all this in mind, Sharon BrownFitness plans to take a break during August, We will use the time to assess where we are now, where we go from here and come back ready to tackle the next phase of this exciting fitness journey. Take a look at the timetable for the coming weeks below. I hope to see as many of you as possible in class for the next few weeks and hope that you join me when we return in September. Enjoy the summer holidays whatever you're up to and see you in class soon SBF

Week beginning 12th August Monday – 6.30pm – Sofunk Dance Fitness – Stirchley BathsTuesday 6.30 – Sofunk Dance Fitness Taster Session – Holloway HallWednesday – 10.00am – Zumba – Shenley Lane Sports and Community AssociationWednesday – 6.30 pm Sofunk/Zumba Mashup – St Germains ChurchThursday – 7.00 – 8.00 pm Sofunk Dance Fitness followed by optional social dance, drink and eat– Avery FieldsTHEN WE TAKE A BREAK!!!WEEKS BEGINNING 19th, 26th August & 2nd September there will be no group fitness classes (PT clients, you would have all received separate messages to confirm your sessions during this period)All classes will be back up and running week beginning 9th September 2019I’ll keep you updated weekly with any changes and also with flyers for you to share for specific sessions, otherwise, enjoy your summer whatever you get up to, have fun, stay fit and stay funky

​Sofunk Dance Fitness - pre-launch classes​What a journey Sofunk Dance Fitness has been on so far. It’s fair to say that the pre-launch taster sessions have been a complete success, nearly 200 people attending the classes in just 3 weeks, I mean, just wow!!

Now, I’ve been in this industry long enough to appreciate how these things work, what with the intrigue of a brand new class and venue and the £2 entrance fee, it's been an easy choice for people to make to at least come and give Sofunk a go, and that’s exactly what I wanted. Sofunk Dance Fitness was newly created by me and I wanted to give as many people the opportunity to come and try it, pass on some feedback and tweak things where necessary if and when we go for the big launch in the New Year!!

Well, the ever so good news on that front is that Sofunk has been really well received with such positive comments on the feedback forms, social media and to me personally. What can I say, but thank you for enjoying the journey with me so far, for your positive comments and encouragement and for your support by attending, liking, sharing and spreading the Sofunk word, it means a lot and it also means that I will be taking Sofunk forward into 2019 !! Watch this space for January start dates!

Sofunk Pre-Launch classesWe’re not done yet, the final of the pre-launch classes takes place next Thursday 6th December, again with both a 6.30 pm and & 7.30 pm class, the following week will be a Christmas Party (see below for details) to book your space for either session, get in touch with me or follow the links above to the Facebook events pages

​Time: 6.30 – 10.30 pmVenue: @Avery Fields Sports & Events, Sandon Road, Edgbaston.Tickets: £10 each, contact Sharon to reserve yours and to arrange collection.What will we be getting up to- Dancing - a formal class is not planned for the party night, although, I’m sure all those routines we’ve learnt over the last weeks will be finding their way onto the Sofunk dance floor .Food – a buffet will be provided by Avery Fields catering and included in the price.Drink – The fully licensed bar will be available throughout the night

Sofunk official launch classes - January 2019Sofunk Dance Fitness classes will officially launch in January 2019 (date to be confirmed), they will continue on a Thursday evening starting at 7 – 8 pm at Avery Fields. Classes are £5 per session which will be bookable through my website. Please click here to register for classes in January. You will be contacted with booking details over the coming weeks.

Sofunk – where to next?With plenty of request to bring Sofunk to other locations, I think I have the next few weeks cut out to consider the various options. Expect to hear details of upcoming new classes in the coming weeks.

A few photo's from the Sofunk Dance Fitness pre-launch night ... enjoy!

I told you it's been a bit of a journey. I'm enjoying every minute of it, I hope you all are too.​Sharonphoto credit to: @Donna Brampton

​Why? Mainly because I get to work with some wonderful people, in my Personal Training in particular, I get to go on a journey with people to help them improve their fitness and well being and support them in making long term improvements (no quick fixes here) not only to their appearance, but to how they feel physically by improving strength and functional fitness and quite often to their mental well being. If you are looking to make some positive changes to your personal fitness and overall wellbeing but just haven’t got the motivation to do anything about it or just don’t know where to start, get in touch with me to find out more about my Personal Training Programme. I work from a home studio, giving that extra emphasis on the ‘Personal’ side of the training, let’s face it, a large gym environment isn’t for everyone for one reason or another, and I will work with you to help you achieve your fitness goals.Don’t just take my word for it, have a look at my testimonial page and see what some of my clients have been saying about their experience with Sharon Brown Fitness.I look forward to you getting in touch for your FREE - no obligation, consultation.

I am sorry to have to announce that last Tuesday’s class at the Priory School was the last one to be held there. It's a something I have been considering for a little while now and as the school have recently informed me that they will be ceasing all external bookings in the near future, I have decided to take this as my cue to call it a day :-(

As much as I love Zumba (it was my route into working in this industry) I want to concentrate on, well me and the brand that is Sharon Brown Fitness.

I will still be continuing doing Zumba on Wednesday mornings at Shenley Lane and for the council’s Wellbeing Service, but the opportunity to develop my Personal Training and other opportunities that have presented themselves is where I feel ready to direct my focus .

I want to say a MASSIVE thank you to everyone that has supported the class over the last 5 ½ years (yes, it’s been that long) and hope to still see some of you as I continue my journey through the fitness industry.

Exactly a month ago today I launched the Sharon Brown Fitness website, and I have to say I’ve been overwhelmed by all the likes, shares and encouraging comments of support from so many people, THANK YOU.

I’m really excited to say that this has led to me taking on 5 new PT clients this month alone! I’m loving working with these and all of my other clients and am completely motivated to help them achieve their fitness goals, it’s what I do, it’s what I love!

Obviously with all the other things I do in this wonderful industry that I call work :-) including with Active Parks, BCC Wellbeing Service and delivering the Zumba programme in schools, my availability to take on more clients for PT is limited, BUT, if you are considering taking on a personal trainer, please do get in touch, I will always do my best to work something out, one of the many benefits of being self-employed and not being tied down to a club timetable !! Take a look at my website, complete and submit the ‘FREE CONSULTATION’ request and I will be in touch.

Thank you again for all your support, and please continue to share my website and spread the word.